The State of the Church in Singapore 2024: The Church and Seniors is the third instalment of the State of the Church in Singapore Study, an annual collaboration between Biblical Graduate School of Theology, Singapore Bible College, Trinity Theological College and Salt&Light.

The release of the study results was held on Friday, January 10, 2025 at St Andrew’s Cathedral and saw nearly 200 leaders of churches and para-church organisations in attendance.

Rev Ng Zhiwen presented the key findings from the SOTC 2024 report.

Rev Ng Zhiwen from Zion Bishan Bible-Presbyterian Church, who led the research team, presented a summary of the key findings of the study on seniors in the Church. Click to read the State of the Church 2024 Study Report.

Panel discussion: Navigating this season of opportunity.

Following the presentation, Pastor Edric Sng, also the Editor of Salt&Light, led a panel discussion to review the findings, as well as share experiences and ideas in ministering to and engaging seniors in church.

The panel speakers were Pastor Lim Keng Yeow from Covenant Evangelical Free Church, Rev Dr Niam Kai Huey, the former Senior Pastor of Sengkang Methodist Church and Rev Dr Dev Menon of Zion Bishan Bible Presbyterian Church, who has been engaging other churches with significant elderly demographics.

“Church is always talking about the ‘next generation’ – so that means we are the ‘past generation’.” This is how some seniors have expressed their hurt at some churches’ narrative.

1. The need for a paradigm shift within seniors and about seniors

Ps Niam noted that the way the Church looks at seniors and the way seniors think of themselves need to change. Not all seniors are the same and require the same level of help.

Within the above-65 group known as seniors, there are three groups, she said: The young seniors, the middle seniors and the oldest ones. The younger seniors are physically fitter and mentally stronger, she noted.

“So the question is, how do we mobilise younger seniors to care for older seniors?”

Roping in the children, youths and young adults to engage with the elderly is already something ongoing. 

Ps Kai Huey said that at Sengkang Methodist, “we emphasise the church as a family, so we deliberately group seniors with children and youths in things like prayer walks.”

2. Reframing the last one-third of life

Ps Keng Yeow shared the mindset he has been promoting among the seniors in his church: The idea of the last one-third of life being the finest hour. “The Church must help people believe this goal is possible and worth pursuing,” he said.

The Church must help people to believe that making their final one-third of life their finest hour is a goal possible and worth pursuing, said Ps Keng Yeow.

This is contrary to the common thinking that once one reaches “retirement age” (currently 63 being the mandated age), the best of life is over and seniors are doomed to a slow decline till they pass away.

Ps Keng Yeow shared that he was surprised that the research showed the level of vitality in ministry to seniors – from friendship evangelism (activities designed to facilitate the sharing of the Gospel with seniors) to dementia talks to a healthy number of baptisms of senior converts.

“Seniors can flourish!” he noted.

Ps Kai Huey, who at 66 falls into her own definition of “young senior”, added that much can be done to shift the mindset of this cohort. She mooted the idea of young seniors “(using) our retirement to have a ‘second career’ and find fulfilment.”

“They must have the paradigm shift from ‘I’m running out of time’ to ‘I have all this time’,” she said.

3. Dealing with the pain of being overlooked

The panel had much to share on the feelings of insecurity and inadequacy among seniors.

“They have a sense of loneliness; no one listens to them,” said Ps Kai Huey, adding that some seniors fear being a burden to others and so distance themselves from others.

Ps Kai Huey mooted the idea of young seniors using their retirement to have a ‘second career’ and find fulfilment.

“If the church can foster a culture of value, it may help seniors become more involved,” she said.

To this end, Ps Dev proposed a needed pivot to view seniors as “highly valued” persons, like a mentor who has much to contribute given his wealth of experience.

Sometimes, the narrative of the church may come across as hurtful to a senior, said Ps Keng Yeow, sharing that seniors have told him that “Church is always talking about the ‘next generation’ – so that means we are the ‘past generation’.”

He added, “I tell them, they are the next generation, but we are not the past generation – we are the ‘now’ generation. Younger ones are looking for models like us … and they need us now.”

4. Seniors are a big harvest field

Of 33 churches surveyed in SOTC 2024, between 2022 and 2024, there were 1,967 new regular senior attendees and 548 baptisms among the seniors. 

The SOTC study yielded encouraging results: There are more new regular church attendees among the seniors.

And of these churches, two-thirds – 22 churches – reported that they had more new attendees than senior members who had passed on. This means that growth is very much a possibility.

Churches like Sengkang Methodist are actively reaching out, said Ps Kai Huey, citing how the church’s OAKS (Older Adults Keeping Strong) and Evergreen ministries actively engages seniors beyond church walls to build relationships and invite other to church.

5. Helping seniors stay vital by deepening their faith

Ultimately, a church ministry for seniors must focus on the spiritual health of its members. 

For Ps Dev, the focus is on guiding the seniors to mature in their faith and display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Ps Dev Menon emphasised that helping seniors to grow in spiritual maturity is important.

Ps Kai Huey echoed the importance of helping seniors to have a deep spiritual relationship with God. Advanced age and literacy need not be an obstacle to this, she shared, using the example of how her church promote Scripture memory among their elderly members: “We set verses to music, and use these songs to help them remember Scripture!”

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State of the Church in Singapore 2024

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Ain’t no mountain high enough: Senior with Parkinson’s heads hiking ministry to keep the elderly active

“Dementia is a physiological condition, but the spirit lives”: These dementia ministries want to remind the elderly they are God’s beloved

“You are a declaration for God!” Encouragement to seniors that later years can be fruitful years

The post “The last one-third of life is the finest hour”: State of the Church 2024 panel appeared first on Salt&Light.

Growing up, there were certain dishes that I only got to taste during Chinese New Year: My grandmother’s babi pongteh and itek sioh, my grandaunt’s ayam buah keluak, my mother’s har guan (a prawn and batter ball that I have not been able to find anywhere else) and cabbage soup with crab shells stuffed plump and juicy with minced pork and shredded crab meat.

This Chinese New Year, as you fill your dining table with your version of delectable delights, why not buy food earmarked for good?

Here are six places that are using proceeds from the sale of their New Year goodies to support worthy causes.

1. The Peranakan: Feeding the elderly and supporting single mums

Raymond Khoo is the jaunty Baba restauranteur who owns The Peranakan and the philanthropist who started registered charity The Saturday Movement.

Since 2011, he has been feeding over 500 elderly living in eight blocks at Lengkok Bahru.

Pineapple tarts from Raymond’s mother Betty Boon’s recipe. Photo courtesy of The Peranakan.

It began with free lunches every Saturday. Then came special meals on festive occasions. Home visits with care packages were then added, benefitting some 300 households.

Now daily afternoon snacks and a drink are offered as well to all the elderly who visit S17 Community Kitchen between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.

Every month, Raymond also gives out 4,000 meal vouchers which can be used to redeem meals at S17 Community Kitchen. This works out to two meals per person per week.

On top of all this, S17 Community Kitchen also employs the underserved, as does The Peranakan.

Raymond estimates that it costs over S$300,000 a year to run The Saturday Movement. Until it became a charity two years ago, he was funding 80% of the expenditure out of his own pocket.

This year, for the first time, The Peranakan is selling pineapple tarts for Chinese New Year (S$38 for 28 pieces). Each comes filled with pineapple jam that is the perfect blend of sweet and tart.

“The tarts are baked under my mother’s supervision from a recipe passed down to her by her aunt. My mother has been making these pineapple tarts since she was a teen. Now, she is 89,” said Raymond.

You can take home Nonya dishes as well: babi pongteh, ayam buah keluak, chap chye and curry chicken – generous enough to feed up to eight. All are priced at S$138, except chap chye which costs S$118.

The food comes in kamcheng (covered jars) so there is no need to re-plate them – and you get to keep the beautiful dinnerware for future parties.

Ayam buah keluak and babi pongteh are traditional Nonya dishes that are The Peranakan’s specialties. Photo courtesy of The Peranakan.

In addition, The Peranakan is offering yusheng done Nonya style. The sauce is made from 12 different herbs, while the dish is topped with crispy fish skin and fragrant nasi ulam.

How to buy: WhatsApp Vick at 8023 4345

2. En: Helping families with children with special needs

When news broke that Mediacorp actress Rui En was selling bak kwa for charity, the thought on most people’s minds was: Rui En knows how to make bak kwa?

“No, I don’t know how to make bak kwa,” said Rui En with a laugh.

For the first time, Rui En is selling bak kwa. Proceeds from the sales will go to Brave Club, a ministry by 3:16 Church that ministers to children with special needs. Photo courtesy of En.

It was her business partner at her brand, En, who had approached her with the idea of selling bak kwa as he had contacts for that.

“I don’t know why he decided on bak kwa. Maybe it’s because he knows it is my favourite Chinese New Year snack,” she told Salt&Light.

“Bak kwa was something I only got to eat during Chinese New Year, once a year. As a kid, I would always be waiting for it. And I would not be able to stop eating it.”

Rui En agreed to go into the venture after realising that she had access to resources that others do not. “I just wanted to steward my resources for Kingdom purposes,” she said.

It took the team of two several months to taste-test different flavours before deciding on laksa and applewood.

According to a media release, the laksa bak kwa is said to blend the smoky richness of traditional bak kwa with the aromatic spices of Singapore’s iconic laksa, while the applewood version is marinated in a secret traditional recipe and smoked for over two hours with US-imported applewood.

“We wanted some novelty flavours. So that’s why laksa. And I’m a purist when it comes to bak kwa. Applewood is a traditional flavour with a bit more depth,” she revealed.

“At first I didn’t think the laksa flavour would be such a hit, but we sold out in 24 hours.”

The laksa-flavoured bak kwa sold out in 24 hours when it was first launched. Photo courtesy of En.

The laksa bak kwa is going for S$88 for 500g, while the applewood version costs S$98. Proceeds from all sales will go to Brave Club, a sports-based ministry by 3:16 Church for children with special needs.

As a member of 3:16 Church, Rui En has seen the struggles of caregivers of children with special needs.

“I have volunteered at Brave Club before. For one of the sessions, I was one of three volunteers who took a young adult with autism out to Orchard Road.

“That experience left a deep imprint on me. I was so exhausted and there were three of us. It was an eye-opener. I got a firsthand look at what it must be like to be her caregiver every day.”

How to buy: Order online here

3. Yoon’s Social Kitchen: Providing work and shelter to mature female ex-offenders

The local cuisine café that specialises in Teochew kueh (steamed glutinous rice dumplings) is a social enterprise started by two unlikely friends, Talia Lee and Qara Yoon.

Talia was a party girl who indulged in drinks and drugs, and caught the eye of many men. Qara was a civil servant who was a regular at a KTV lounge Talia ran with her then-husband.

But after God met both women and transformed them, he used their friendship, in particular Talia’s experience working with women ex-offenders and Qara’s skills in making traditional Teochew kueh, to create Yoon’s Social Kitchen.

The café employs mature women ex-offenders above the age of 55 who, statistically, have the greatest challenge turning their lives around. The pair live with these female ex-offenders in a flat above their café.

This Chinese New Year, try their soon kueh, which is packed with bamboo shoots (as the ‘soon’ in its name promises) instead of turnips, which is what most stores offer. That is why they dub it jiah soon kueh, or ‘real’ soon kueh.

Jiah soon kueh filled with bamboo shoots. Photo from Yoon’s Social Kitchen’s Instagram page.

Alternatively, have a taste of their version of ang ku kueh, which comes with a thin and chewy skin infused with fresh pandan juice. This is a must-have during Chinese New Year and other celebrations because of its festive red colour.

“Ang ku kueh is what the Hokkiens call it. We Teochews call it tiam tor kueh (‘fill your tummy’ kueh),” explained Qara.

You can also sample cikak kueh (a dusky version of tiam tor kueh), png kueh (filled with glutinous rice), yam kueh and muah chee (steamed glutinous rice flour coated in sugar and powdered peanuts).

Png kueh stuffed with fragrant glutinous rice. Photo from Yoon’s Social Kitchen’s Instagram page.

Tiam tor kueh (red) and cikak kueh (brown). Photo from Yoon’s Social Kitchen’s Instagram page.

Pop by on January 24 or 25 to pick up some of these Teochew kueh in time for Chinese New Year.

How to buy: Visit the store
Block 4 Upper Aljunied Lane
#01-18 Joo Seng Green
Singapore 360004

4. The Helping Hand: Rehabilitating drug addicts

The Helping Hand (THH) is a Christian halfway house that rehabilitates drug addicts.

The volunteer welfare organisation (VWO) offers several services – removal and disposal, painting and cleaning, furniture and digital product sales and redistribution of used items – to fund their mission as well as to provide gainful employment for their residents.

Four years ago, they added pineapple tarts to their offerings, after a baker who had honed his skills in Europe joined them.

These perfect globes of pineapple pastries took months to get just right. Photo courtesy of The Helping Hand.

It took Lim Choon Hock, or Ah Hock as he is better known, several months to perfect his pineapple tart recipe with his team.

The final version is a golden globe of tastiness. The rich outer pastry pairs beautifully with the tangy, fruity centre. Each bottle of 21 pineapple tarts costs S$22.90.

While you are it, grab their chiffon cakes as well, which come in two flavours: pandan and orange (S$12 for a whole cake).

How to buy: Order online here

5. The Hiding Place: Transforming lives of addicts

The Hiding Place is another Christian halfway house that has transformed many lives. Its executive director Ps Tan Hock Seng was himself a former resident. He went on to raise two daughters while living there as a staff member.

The pineapple tarts that the drug rehabilitation centre rolls out every Chinese New Year are legendary.

If you prefer the harder-to-bake open-face tarts, theirs is for you. Smooth and buttery, the crust does not fall apart when handled, while the pineapple filling is a generous mound of ooey-gooey goodness. Each tub is priced at S$28.

The legendary pineapple tarts from The Hiding Place. Photo by Yeo Kai Wen.

Don’t miss out on the sugee cookies – pistachio (S$26), almond (S$25) and plain (S$20) – as well as love letters (S$20) and prawn rolls (S$18) too.

How to buy: Order online here

6. Bakery Brera: Working with the elderly

Bakery Brera started out as a neighbourhood bakery offering artisan breads and French bakes.

Crowds would squeeze into the tiny interior of the bakery beside Empress Market to snap up their signature cruffins and kouign-amann almost as quickly as they could be pulled out of the ovens.

Bakery Brera’s pineapple tarts come in different bottle sizes for different appetite sizes. Photo from Bakery Brera’s website.

But Bakery Brera is more than a bakery. Owner Thrina Low considers it a platform through which the true Bread of Life can be shared.

The bakery’s Instagram account often recounts Thrina’s efforts to bring good to others. She also regularly hires interns who have nowhere else to go, such as those struggling with mental illness, troubled teens and people who have lost their jobs.

In 2023, Thrina opened Café Brera at Reunion in collaboration with Fine Foods and the National Museum Singapore. Its mission? To be a gathering place for the aged. 

This Chinese New Year, Bakery Brera’s pineapple tarts come in three bottle sizes: small (S$18), medium (S$29) and large (S$36).

Another great find is their osmanthus cranberry cookies, which are sold in three sizes as well: small (S$17), medium (S$28) and large (S$35).

How to buy: Visit the store
8 Empress Rd
#01-05
Singapore 260008

Or order online

RELATED STORIES:

Dishing up meals and befriending the lonely regardless of language, race or religion: The Saturday Movement

They went from KTV to kueh kueh when God moved their hearts to help mature women drug addicts

“For 30 years I asked for help. Now I can help someone else”: The story behind The Helping Hand’s pineapple tarts

The purpose-driven pineapple tart

“We may serve bread, but we want to share the true Bread of Life”: Thrina Low of Bakery Brera

The post Fill your tummies with food that help a good cause this Chinese New Year appeared first on Salt&Light.

ChezHemdi has found a way to do it with a hongbao (red packet).

This year, ChezHemdi founder Hemdi Unamee and her husband Peter Hui landed on the idea of telling the full story of the life of Jesus by illustrating on a hongbao 80 key moments from His life: His ministry, teachings, miracles, and ultimately His sacrifice and resurrection.

“As we prayed and planned, we knew it couldn’t stop at just the highlights of Jesus’ life,” Hemdi said. “We wanted this hongbao to tell a richer story.”

The couple hopes the hongbao will be a reminder of the blessings and new beginnings that Jesus brings, and that the one receiving it will carry His light and love into the new year.

ChezHemdi is one of many companies – including AlyLetters, The Commandment Co., The Glorious Letterings and Rey’s Little Loft – that have turned hongbaos into a channel to sow Gospel seeds and speak God’s blessings over others this Chinese New Year. 

“Words are powerful; they’re not just for decoration, but can speak to our hearts and remind us of what’s true,” said Christina Goh , founder and designer of The Glorious Letterings. “Jesus said we don’t live on bread alone but on every word that comes from God, and we need His Word to renew our minds each day.”

Here are nine hongbaos made to inspire hope and spark conversations about Jesus.

1. Share the life of Jesus: ChezHemdi

“We love how Chinese New Year is all about new beginnings, hope, and blessings – things that tie so beautifully to Jesus’ story,” founder Hemdi told Salt&Light.

“His birth brought hope into the world, His teachings showed us how to live, and His sacrifice gave us the ultimate blessing of eternal life.”

Following on their wildly successful debut with the 37 miracles of Jesus hongbao, Hemdi and Peter, the illustrator, set out to create something this time that would facilitate sharing the Gospel in a creative way. 

Can you spot Jesus? This hongbao features 80 key events in Jesus’s life: His ministry, sacrifice and resurrection. Photo by ChezHemdi.

“By including these life events (of Jesus), our hope is more people will be inspired to use this as a tool to share His story and the hope it brings.”

The couple has injected fun into the giving and receiving of their hongbaos by “hiding” Jesus in the illustration for a game of “spot the Saviour”.

“We hope to bring families and friends together as they connect over the story of Jesus this Chinese New Year,” she said.

ChezHemdi has released a limited edition electric blue version of the hongbao for use throughout the year.

The ChezHemdi hongbaos are available in red or blue. $10 for a pack of 8. Click here to purchase.

2. Catch the eye with Chinese silk: AlyLetters

These stunning Chinese silk hongbaos by AlyLetters in luxurious gold and vibrant red are designed to capture first the eye, then the heart.

These gold-stamped Chinese silk hongbaos are designed to captivate recipients’ eyes and heart. Photo by AlyLetters.

“I love gifting these hongbaos not just to loved ones, but to the security, cleaning and service staff I come across,” Alicia Choo, the name behind AlyLetters told Salt&Light. Aly has found that when people receive these hongbaos, they take a closer look and read the verse.

This typically kick starts a conversation about the verse, laying the groundwork for relationship building, Aly explained. 

The verse reference is included discreetly and the back of the hongbao is left blank for you to craft personal messages.

Aly designed these envelopes to bless and encourage recipients with Biblical promises. And these hongbaos are not just great for CNY but for weddings, birthdays, and just-because days.

AlyLetters’ 2025 “Surely Goodness” silk hongbaos are priced at $16 for a bundle of 10 (bundle discounts available till January 24). Click here to purchase. 

3. Make it personal with hand lettering: The Glorious Letterings

Each of The Glorious Letterings’ hand-lettered hongbao is handcrafted from scratch, including the cutting and assembly, on paper and colours selected by designer Christina.

She personally picked verses that would resonate with both believers and pre-believers. The words are debossed in gold.

Handcrafted hongbaos featuring debossed wordings, verses that appeal to both believers and pre-believers. Photo by The Glorious Letterings.

“Simple phrases like ‘Love never fails’ and ‘It is more blessed to give’ carry timeless truth,” Christina explained. Others like “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” and “Blessed are those who fear the Lord” hold deep personal meaning for the designer as she realised that a closer walk with God starts with trusting Him and learning to fear Him.

“As we step into a new year, I hope that these verses remind us to continually trust God and live in greater surrender,” Christina told Salt&Light.

She conceptualised these gold hand-lettered hongbaos to plug a gap in the local market where hand-lettered hongbaos are rare. 

Because these hongbaos are handcrafted, pre-orders are required. Customisation options are available.

Each set ($25) consists of 6 handcrafted hongbaos. Pre-order by January 20 here. 

4. Spring blooms all year round: Rey’s Little Loft

Why stop at Chinese New Year? Joanne Toh’s answer to versatile gifting comes in these cheery hongbaos sporting blossom doodles in spring-coloured pastels. 

A collaboration with artist Doodled by Oli, Rey’s Little Loft’s hongbaos provide  the opportunity to bless the recipient with the word of God all year, not just during Chinese New Year.

A collaboration with Doodle by Oli, these hongbaos featuring spring blooms are owner Joanne Toh’s answer to year-long gifting. Photo by Rey’s Little Loft.

“Whether used as a bookmark or displayed somewhere meaningful, I want them to inspire hope and remind people that even in life’s hard pathways, God’s abundance overflows,” Jo told Salt&Light.

Jo, in her 30s, started Rey’s Little Loft two years ago to create products that inspire families to draw closer to Him. 

These hongbaos are available in Chinese, English and bilingual text, $12 for 16 hongbaos, or $22 for 32. Click here to buy.

5. Celebrate the Everlasting God: The Commandment Co.

This year’s hongbao collection from The Commandment Co. celebrates the everlasting God by highlighting His eternal promises and grace.

The 2025 series features five motifs inspired by His blessings: Everlasting Blessings (福), Everlasting Joy (乐), Everlasting Peace (安), Everlasting Grace 恩, Everlasting Love 爱

This series celebrates the everlasting God by highlighting God’s eternal promises and grace. Photo by The Commandment Co.

The hongbaos open up to be used as door or wall decor.   

Available in 5 designs, $7.90 for a set of 10. Purchase them here. 

6. Gift Bible blessings: Parable Gifts

Inspired by an article in Thir.st, Mark Tang, owner of Parable Gifts based this limited series of traditional Chinese New Year blessings on Bible verses.  

Customary hongbaos that convey traditional blessings from the Bible. Photo by Parables Gifts.

Mark’s prayer is that every occasion becomes an opportunity to evangelise, especially during the time of Chinese New Year, when customary red packets can convey not just our blessing but even more from Jesus.

Available in 3 designs, $7.90 for a set of 10. Click here to buy.

7. Look to the true treasure: The Treasure Box

There is no occasion like Chinese New Year when it comes to prosperity, whether gauged by gifts or things owned or topics discussed. 

“Trust in self and what we can achieve by our own strengths, talents and abilities is a pervasive idea, often highlighted during this festive season,” observed Esther Foong, co-founder and designer who owns The Treasure Box with her husband Elvin.

Esther picked two verses and images by Mei Hui for this year’s design that are stark reminders that one is to ultimately look to God and trust in His providence and sovereignty: 

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:6)  and “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).

These verses and images illustrated by Mei Hui serve as reminders of God’s power and sovereignty. Photo by Treasure Box.

⁠”For pre-believers, it’s an opportunity to introduce them to a God whose tender care and loving provision are part of His divine nature,” Esther added.

1 pack of 6 hongbaos at $4.50, 3 packs at $10. 

The hongbaos are available from January 20 online or in store at The Ink Room at City Harvest Church (Level 6 Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 605 during weekend services) and For the One (9 King Albert Park, #01-70, Singapore 598332)

8. Foster renewal and generosity: Cornerstone Community Church

Cornerstone’s 2025 hongbao series showcases themes of joy, blessings, abundance, and spring that symbolises hope, prosperity, and new beginnings.

“The hongbaos are more than just a gift—they’re a meaningful expression of love and gratitude this festive season,” said Tan Rui Ping, media director at Cornerstone.

Every hongbao comes with a Scripture blessing inscribed inside the packet. Photo by Cornerstone Community Church

No worries with money falling out of these hongbaos, which feature a self-locking mechanism. Each design comes with a Scripture blessing inscribed within the packet.

Available in 4 designs. $8.80 for a pack of 8. Buy them online or in store at Faithworks Bookstore (11 East Coast Rd, #02-22 The Odeon, Singapore 428722)

9. Pray for someone: Bethesda Bedok Tampines Church

Bethesda Bedok Tampines Church (BBTC) brings back its “Can I pray for you?” hongbaos with a refreshed design. 

BBTC rolled out this hongbao last year in a bid to foster prayer as a lifestyle. These hongbaos were employed extensively as a tool to offer prayers as a blessing in addition to the tradition of gifting money.

Hundreds of prayers were offered and made for pre-believers over the Chinese New Year period last year thanks to these hongbaos. Photo by author.

Several church members have shared testimonies of how they used this very practical and timely tool to pray for and to share the love of God with hundreds of pre-believers. 

One church member used the hongbao to bless a homeless lady who had been sleeping at the void deck. The door was open for her to pray for the lady, who received Jesus into her heart.

The hongbao is available for purchase at the BBTC lobby (300 Bedok North Avenue 3, Singapore 469717) following its worship services on Saturday and Sunday. 

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The post 9 <I>hongbaos</I> to sow the Gospel this Chinese New Year appeared first on Salt&Light.

I do not want to inflate my experience as there are many parts of the world facing destruction and violence on a much greater scale, both on a natural and civil level.

Yet I do not wish to downplay what I’m going through, either. When disaster strikes, everyone reacts differently. But one thing is for sure – everyone is going through something.

Before disaster struck

In the wee hours of January 7 (Tuesday), winds were howling outside my window and I could see the trees outside swaying violently even while I was working on my dissertation.

We were warned of windstorms and the risk of fires over the weeks. They would be the most severe windstorms to hit LA since 2011.

This wasn’t my first windstorm, but this was definitely the worst. I have seen huge trees destroying my neighbour’s homes. People have died from falling trees and power cables (in Singapore, too).

When I chose to put on choral music that morning, I knew I was feeling anxious.

I clung on to Psalm 46:10.

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

It was hard to be still, but I was comforted knowing my life was in the hands of the Creator of heaven and earth — and the speck of dust that is me.

Few were prepared for the blaze that sprung up first in the Pacific Palisades, encouraged by gusts going at speeds of up to 120km/h.

Evacuating

If I was living in Changi, the Palisades would be Tuas. It was so far yet so near.

The fires were reported to be spreading at wild speeds from the winds. No one knew the cause yet, but no matter; evacuate first. Once a fire starts, a spread was likely.

The author, Benita (centre), sharing her experience of the California wildfires with CNA. Screengrab from CNA.

We were facing a severe drought and one of the driest periods on record. Structures and wildlife were tinder-dry – the best fuel for fire to catch. High speed winds could easily carry embers from existing fires and start new fires.

Life went on in my household for half a day — then our worst fears happened.

A brush fire was reported in a beloved hiking trail not far from us. Power outages were being reported on social media groups. We thought about preparing dinner early just in case we were affected, but when we looked out of our front windows, we saw a blaze that seemed to be on the next street.

It was just the beginning of the Eaton Fires.

A screenshot of an app indicating the wildfires and affected areas. Photo courtesy of Benita Lim.

My housemate (also my landlord and friend) and I looked at each other. Will the fires come our way? Shall we evacuate? Shall we wait it out and see what the city says?

Even through the windows, we could see the fires blazing. Let’s evacuate, C said. Her husband rushed to turn on the sprinklers and hose the exteriors of the house, which would help reduce fire damage.

C, her husband, their two-year-old and dog would drive to her sister’s place an hour south, while I would drive 20 minutes south to my pastor-friends’ house in another city.

We packed our belongings. I was reminded of the verse on giving up my possessions and following Christ — to choose what was truly necessary to live.

I left first, since I only had to pack for myself. My housemates and I blessed each other. The fires seemed ominously larger than before.

The main streets were already lining up with cars. We filed silently away from the direction of the canyon, slowly navigating fallen branches, trash cans, broken traffic lights and street signs.

I picked up two of my church youths – an Indonesian and a Bruneian college student who were also living in Pasadena. We paused to take some pictures of the fires that were now miles away but still glowered an angry red across the northern skyline.

We shared how we were feeling, and how it was the college students’ first experience. It was good to have each other.

The grief of disaster

Our pastors and their young son embraced us from the get-go. We were hungry, and our church community made sure we were warm and well-fed. Our pastors called and checked in on church members living in the affected areas.

On social media and wildlife alert apps, we received updates on the disasters. It was picture after picture of devastation, and disillusionment on issues regarding funding of firefighters and unethical insurance practices.

But there was also information on plenty of churches, groups and individuals offering shelter and support.

Benita is a PhD student at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena.

I found myself reading up on the matter ever so often, only stopping to cook meals. It was a welcome respite to keep my mind off the situation.

At one point, however, I knew I had to check in with myself in a quiet corner in the house.

The grief and sadness finally rushed in. For people I knew (and didn’t know) that had lost their homes and precious memorabilia; for the loss of places once so familiar to me.

Many parts of the world are also suffering in disasters — much more prolonged and violent than what is happening here. But the reality remains: Things will never be the same again for over 180,000 people here.

When disaster strikes, everyone will have their own journey towards reconstruction, and it will take time. But may no one be walking alone — that is a disaster in itself.

Lord have mercy.

How you can pray

Pray for us:

• That those affected, be it on the giving or receiving end, will find true healing and rest for our souls.
• To show mercy and kindness towards one another in our actions and speech, online and offline. Even if it’s from a bystander’s point of view.
• That while we struggle now, we struggle together — in the right direction.

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The post When disaster strikes: A Singaporean experiencing the Los Angeles wildfires shares how we can pray appeared first on Salt&Light.

On the evening of Boxing Day last year, like millions of other Netflix subscribers (68 million as of last week), I sat on my couch and turned on Squid Game 2.

When the original Squid Game first aired in 2021, it became an instant hit around the globe, a morality tale bathed in garish colours and shocking violence.

It also birthed a lot of memes – which we all know is the true measure of popularity.

The story picks up three years after Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), aka Player 456, has won the 45.6 billion won prize having defeated all other 455 players in the first Game. But his riches bring him no joy – it is all meaningless, as King Solomon would have put it.

Haunted by his experience and the loss of life he witnessed, Gi-hun is a changed man, determined to return to the mystery island and destroy the Game once and for all.

Long story short, he finds himself in a car talking through a speaker to the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), the one orchestrating the Game. The only way Gi-hun can return to the island is to let himself be drugged. When he awakes, he is once again Player 456.

A brand new set of 456 players join the grisly Game, playing with their lives.

The Game restarts with a brand new set of players, all clueless about the horror that is about to befall them. Among them is a failed crypto investor (Yim Si-wan), a rapper called Thanos (BigBang’s TOP), a transgender who was a weapons specialist in the military (Park Sunghoon, famously the villain in Queen of Tears), an old lady (Kang Ae-sim) and her gambler son (hiphop artist Yang Dong-geun) and a pregnant girl (former Kpop idol Jo Yuri).

At the time I started on Squid Game 2, our office – the Thirst Collective – was coming to the end of a collective one-year cover-to-cover Bible-reading programme.

I found myself watching the scenes through the lens of what I had read in the Bible in 2024, watching biblical truths being played out before my eyes.

Truth #1: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Ecclesiastes 6:9 (TLB) says, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; mere dreaming of nice things is foolish; it’s chasing the wind.”

Some people would rather gamble on what they don’t yet have than appreciate what they do have in their hands.

In the first episode, the Recruiter (Gong Yoo) goes to a park where the homeless camp out, and hold out two things to each one: They have to choose between a lottery ticket and a bun. 

The Recruiter (left) plays on the greed or desperation of those who need a way out of debt.

Most of them choose the lottery ticket, despite the fact that they have witnessed others waste their chance of having a meal on the improbability of winning the lottery.

At the end of that exercise, the Recruiter throws all the unpicked buns on the ground and stomps on them. “I gave you a chance and you made your choice. I’m not the one who threw these away — it’s you, ladies and gentlemen.”

Jesus Himself said “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15

Truth #2: If we have the love of Jesus in us, we would be desperate to save as many souls as we can from Hell.

The fact that Gi-hun chooses to risk his life and return to the Game in an attempt to save the players and to stop the Game from taking more lives reminds me of why Christians must tell the world about Jesus. 

The Front Man asks him: “Have you seen The Matrix? They could have lived in peace if they took the blue pill. But they still chose the red pill to play the heroes. Do you also think you are a hero who can change the world?”

Seong Gi-hun aka Player 456 could have kicked back and enjoyed his 45.6 billion won of blood money from the first Game but he willingly re-enters the Game to try and save others from certain death.

It is tempting for Christians, once we are saved, to be content and live in peace that we have eternal life — the ultimate prize, being forever in the presence of God! We may make extra effort to share Christ with our nearest and dearest, but to evangelise strangers has a much lower take-up rate (which would explain why Christianity has plateaued in Singapore).

But we are supposed to take the red pill; Jesus clearly commanded us to do so. Mark 16:15-16, “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

How willing are we to take the risk, suffer the shame, face the persecution to win souls for Jesus? We may lose face, while others such as missionaries to hostile countries may lose their lives, but how important is it to us that “none should perish but have everlasting life”? 

Click here if you want to know how to share Jesus with others.

Truth #3: Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Player 001 is the Front Man, but none of the players know, not even 456. He ingratiates himself with Gi-hun and the small group of players that have naturally formed. He says the right things, chooses the right side, even attacks the masked guards. By ignoring the small tugs of discomfort and not confronting his questionable behaviour, they trundle along with Player 001 until their lives depend on him and they realise their mistake too late.

Like the Enemy, the Front Man is a liar who infiltrates Gi-hun’s team by deceiving them with his “good guy” act.

1 Peter 5:8 (TLB) warns us: “Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart.”

Christians are called to “put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11) and to wield the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

We must keep up our daily spiritual practices – pray, read our Bible, meditate on Scripture. We must exercise the fruit of the spirit, especially self-control, so that we do not give the devil a foothold. 

Truth #4: The wages of sin is death, no matter what your situation is

It’s easy to think of some of the characters as “more evil” than others. Thanos the rapper, for example, is an unrepentant drug-abusing bully – a stereotypical villain.

Then there is the old lady who joined the Game to try to bail her son out of gambling debts. Is that sin? It may seem unfair, or at least incongruent, but yes. 

As the saying goes: The road to hell is paved with good intentions. This mother just wants to free her son from debtors, but gets into a situation far worse.

What about the desperate father hoping to win money to pay for his daughter’s cancer treatment?

Whatever reasons the players have for signing up are immaterial. The officers shoot any and all who fail at the games.

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way to death.” 

Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” A sin is a sin, no matter how compelling the reason is behind it.

There is no excuse for sin, but there is a Way our sins can be washed away. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” 1 Peter 2:24

Truth #5: Repent while you still can

At the end of the first game Red Light, Green Light (featuring the now-iconic giant doll in the orange dress), the survivors are given a choice: Do they want to end the Game and divide the money equally among them and leave, or do they want to keep playing in the hope that they survive and walk away with a bigger amount of money as more players get killed off?

This is after they have just experienced the terror of the life-or-death exercise and watched fellow players shot to death in front of their very eyes.

Even when given a chance to choose life, the majority of the remaining players choose to “try their luck” and cheat death.

Their greed proves greater than their fear: Despite Gi-hun’s best efforts, the majority vote for the Game to continue, guaranteeing the deaths of more players.

This reflects Revelation 9:20-21 “The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.”

The period for us Christians to share the Gospel and help the lost to repent of their sins and receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour has an end-date. We may not know exactly when Jesus will come again, but the Day of the Lord will most certainly come, and there will be no chance for repentance then.

Watching Squid Game 2 invoked in me a deep sense of urgency. The fields are ripe for harvest: We see many around us, at work, at the gym, at family gatherings, in the office who need the saving grace of our Lord Jesus. Will we take the blue pill and chillax, waiting for Jesus’ soon return? Or will we take the red pill and start doing what we have been saved to do?

“The Game will not end unless the world changes,” the Front Man tells Gi-hun. 

The number of souls bound for destruction will not change unless we change and become active bearers of the Good News and show them a better way.

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The post Squid Game 2: 5 truths found in the allegory of hell appeared first on Salt&Light.

It has been our privilege and joy to bring to you another year’s worth of stories about God’s goodness and love in the lives of those around us. We trust that He is working in yours too.

Of the hundreds of stories we’ve published this year, here are the Top 5 you loved most.

#5 “To my surprise, CDL pumped in US$20m!”: How God used a small Singapore company to pull together a multimillion dollar deal for affordable housing in Vietnam

Daniel Long with Terrance (his Providence’s co-managing partner), alongside Kim and his Korean NHO colleagues and Sherman (Group CEO of CDL) at CDL’s diamond jubilee celebrations in 2023. Photo courtesy of Daniel Long.

After fund manager Daniel Long poured in time and money resuscitating a defunct company, he received an impression from God to repurpose it into a social impact company that would provide social and affordable housing to the masses in Vietnam.

As expected, undertaking such a project was a near-impossible feat.

But just as Daniel gave up, God showed up and delivered the partner of their dreams on a silver platter to them: NHO, run by a group Christian Koreans.

There was just one catch: They would have to raise S$30 million for the project. “I felt it was impossible,” said Daniel. “I wrote off our chances.”

However, God had greater plans for the newly listed company – and an extraordinary way He would fund a US$30 million miracle deal, with investors like CDL pitching in.

Read the story here.

#4 In their retirement years, they left home to serve God in a country they had not heard of before 

Joseph Mannar and Grace Kellan (first row), pictured here with Timorese graduates from their hostel, left their comfortable life in Singapore to run a student hostel in Timor-Leste more than a decade ago. Photo courtesy of Joseph Mannar.

While most people in their mid-60s would be thinking of taking things easy, Singaporeans Joseph Mannar and Grace Kellan packed up their lives to start a new one in Timor-Leste.

Joseph told Salt&Light: “I had friends who had retired and were enjoying their time with their grandkids and drinking coffee in coffeeshops. But I felt that I was still good and strong and healthy. If I can go another mile, I will go another mile.”

In their story, which was part of a Salt&Light series marking LoveTimor’s 20th anniversary, they shared how they took the leap of faith to go despite being unfamiliar with the country, its culture and language.

For a decade, they ran a Christian hostel for senior high students while teaching them the Bible and sharing the love of Christ with them. The married couple returned home to Singapore this May.

Yet, despite being well into his 70s, Joseph remains ready to obey God’s call once again. “I’m not closing the door yet. I’m still open to the idea of going back to serve God,” he said.

Read Joseph and Grace’s story here.

#3 “They said it was impossible for us to be saved”: She was a temple medium for 40 years until her daughter’s prayer brought a miracle

For over 40 years, Linda Khoo served as a temple medium and many believed she would never accept Christ. But in 2018 at 77 years old, Jesus met her. Photo courtesy of Linda Khoo.

The daughter of a temple medium, Linda Khoo, 83, was “born and bred on temple grounds”.

As an adult, she took over her father’s role for more than 40 years. Her connection to the spirit world was strong, and she specialised in soothsaying and finding missing girls supernaturally.

“I always had to please my deity. If he was not happy, I would be in torment. I would not be able to sleep or eat, just suffering,” she told Salt&Light’s Malaysia desk.

Even though Linda was steeped in her religion, her daughter, who had become a Christian, persevered in praying for her mother’s salvation for a decade – until a supernatural breakthrough happened.

“They said it was impossible for us to be saved,” said Linda. “Even I never thought it possible. But God did it.”

Read Linda’s story here.

#2 She is a university graduate. He graduated from the streets. But their love of God grew their love for each other

Though they are from vastly different backgrounds, and only got married in their late 40s, Jeremy Tan and Dora Lim are confident of this: “In God’s perfect timing, He brought us together.” Photo courtesy of Jeremy Tan and Dora Lim.

She is a former English teacher who spent seven years as a missionary in Central Asia. He was a secret society member and ex-convict who had been addicted to drugs for 22 years.

Dora Lim and Jeremy Tan may seem worlds apart, yet they found in each other a unique sense of comfort and ease – and a common thread that would bind them together for life: their love for God.

In this Valentine’s Day feature, the couple, now married for seven years, sat down with Salt&Light to spill the details of their love story – from the first date that lasted eight hours and the impromptu proposal to why she moved into a halfway house with him and what makes their marriage work.

Read Jeremy and Dora’s love story here.

#1 How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies: A tear-jerking parable about true riches

How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is a beautifully written and shot Thai film about a young man who starts off scheming to win a large inheritance from his dying grandmother, but gains much more than mere riches. Photo from GDH.

This highest grossing Thai film of 2024 found many movie-goers dabbing away tears with its gripping themes on family, filial piety, love and greed.

As an Asian daughter who has been a caregiver to four parents (including her husband’s) over the last 21 years, Salt&Light’s Deputy Managing Editor Theresa Tan’s experience of the movie “felt like being strapped into an emotional rollercoaster that took me through past and present towards a hard stare at a likely future”.

In this movie review, the Christian daughter and mother offers her reflections on why true inheritance is more than money or property and what is truly means to honour one’s parents.

Read Theresa’s reflection here.

Thank you!

Salt&Light would like to thank all our readers for every article or social media post that you have read or shared with others. If any of our stories have encouraged or inspired you, we are so thankful.

We look forward to bringing you more such stories in the year to come. Don’t miss out by following us on our social media platforms:

• Facebook 
• Instagram
• Telegram
• YouTube
• Twitter

From the team at Salt&Light, we wish you a Blessed New Year! 

READ THE TOP 5 STORIES OF 2024 HERE:

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Pastor Zac Zhang of Hearts Alive Church, who spent over a decade as a teacher before going into full-time ministry, said this to some 400 educators at the National Christian Educators Conference (NCEC), held last Monday (December 23).

The second iteration of the conference saw teachers, ranging from early childhood educators to university lecturers, coming together to be encouraged to live out their God-given calling as Christians in the sphere of education.

Acknowledging that being a teacher is exhausting work, Ps Zac, who is part of LoveSingapore’s Winning the Youth sub-committee, urged participants to go back to the reason they first entered the service, and offered three ways they can press on when the going gets tough.

Here is what he said, in his words.

A passion to impact lives

Like many of us, I entered into the profession because I felt like God had called me to impact young lives.

Previously I was in the music industry and the Lord called me out of that and told me to go into teaching. So when I went into teaching, I knew that the Lord wanted me to impact lives. I believe that’s true for many educators.

I went into teaching and started to interact with different students, different parents. I realised that many a time, what they need is so much more than just education. What they need is so much more than what the textbook syllabus can offer.

The National Christian Educators Conference also saw participants breaking out in groups to pray for one another.

The school that I was posted to was quite a neighbourhood, heartland school. Many, many fragmented families. Many, many youths with many, many issues.

I came to know of the situations they faced and got to know their families, and one thing led to another, by the grace of God, I had opportunities outside school to share the life-changing love of God with them.

It was just amazing to see how, when they experienced the love of Christ, their lives and their families, their studies, everything changed. Everything really can change.

“Stamp eternity on my eyeballs”

Friends, I want to say this to all of us here: I believe you went into the service with great passion, to touch lives for Jesus. No matter how you feel about your situation, I want to ask you to not give up.

It was very difficult. You know what I’m talking about. But I remember time after time, like many of you, I’d pray for my students. 

The voice of the Lord spoke to me on so many occasions, and I began to ask myself: “What is the most important thing that I have in my own life that they would benefit from?”

So that’s what I would pray for them. “Lord, let them experience your love.” And I was so happy to see many of their lives transformed. 

Ps Zac closed his sharing by singing a song, Alpha and Omega, to encourage teachers to find strength in God when the going gets tough.

I want to take this opportunity to remind you educators of your first love for Jesus, and your first sense of mission when you entered this profession.

Sometimes I know the work, the tight deadlines and all these things can get the better of us. We are so tired, the last thing we think about is the mission that God has given to us.

I’m always inspired by Jonathan Edwards, sometimes recognised as America’s greatest theologian. He said some very profound words. One of the things he said that really impacted me was: “Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs.”

That really got me thinking. Am I going through my life and prioritising the things in my life properly? I would if I understood them in light of eternity.

In light of eternity, why do you think God called you to be an Christian educator while you are here on Earth? What impact should you have on every student in your classroom?

How to keep going

I want to leave you very quickly with three key points that really helped me when I was a teacher.

1. Keep fanning your fire

Don’t lose your fire for Jesus. I know in the midst of the busyness, it’s so easy to feel tired and give excuses for ourselves. But I believe the fire of God can keep us going. Don’t lose your fire for Jesus. Keep fanning the fire.

2. Keep forging meaningful relationships

Many a time, we can be busy with a lot of responsibilities. But let us not forget: We are not teaching a syllabus, we are teaching people.

There is not one student whose eyes you look into, who doesn’t matter to Jesus. There is not one student that you will ever teach that Jesus didn’t want to go to the Cross for.

Keep forging relationships. Even better if you can forge meaningful relationships with the parents.

3. Keep following the Spirit of God

Wherever the Spirit of God leads you, whatever the Spirit of God tells you to do, will you dare – will you be willing to say – “Jesus, here I am. Use me!”

I believe that when we see our work in light of the mission that God has given to us, it will bring new life, it will bring new vitality, it will bring new purpose, to everything that we do.

Sometimes in the journey it can get lonely and it can get discouraging. I want to take this opportunity to encourage all my fellow brothers and sisters here, my fellow teachers here: No matter what you’re going through, God is with you. Jesus is walking with you.

He is with you in every classroom. He’s with you in every counselling session. He’s with you in every late-night marking time. He’s with you.

Do not be discouraged. You are never alone!

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The post “There is not one student who didn’t matter to Jesus”: Educator-turned-Pastor Zac Zhang encourages teachers not to give up appeared first on Salt&Light.

When the “typical church” has more seniors (aged 65 years and above) than children and youth?

When the median age of its church members has crept above 40, 45, maybe even 50 years?

When you look around in the congregation each week and find more and more grey hairs?

We should not be surprised by this prospect for the church in Singapore, because the church is a subset of the country. The reality is that Singapore has been an “aged society” since 2017, and is set to be a “super-aged society” by 2026, when more than 1 in 5 Singaporeans will be aged 65 years and above.

Our resident population’s median age is currently at 42.8 years. For the moment, our seniors do not outnumber the youth and children: 18.9% of our resident population are youth and children, while 17.7% are seniors.

But with a total fertility rate of less than 1, and an increasing life expectancy, it is only a matter of time before this statistic flips.

Church demography vs Church vitality

When the whole church, and indeed the whole society’s demographic shifts to become super-aged, Christians must ask the existential questions with open eyes: Does this trend pose a grave challenge to the church? Could this also be a season for opportunity?

This is where the State of the Church in Singapore Study 2024 comes in.

The SOTC was first launched in 2022 as an annual collaborative research effort between Biblical Graduate School of Theology, Singapore Bible College, Trinity Theological College, and Salt&Light. SOTC study reports are meant to provide empirically-derived observations and insights to stimulate reflection and action, especially at the local church level.

All of this is done in the spirit of unity in Christ, in hope that the Church in Singapore can proactively identify and respond well to important trends together.

The first SOTC study examined the outlook of the Church in Singapore as we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second study, conducted in 2023, was a qualitative examination of local churches that were attracting young adults.

This third study, conducted this year (2024), focuses on “The Church and Seniors”. In this study, we had two main research questions:

1. How is the church in Singapore experiencing the increasing agedness of our society? (This is a question of church demography.)
2. How is the church in Singapore engaged in the ministry of Seniors? (This is a question of church vitality.)
   

In all, 35 churches of various sizes and across denominations, representing over 50,000 Christians, participated in the SOTC2024 study.

7 initial findings from SOTC2024: The Church and Seniors

The full “State of the Church: The Church and Seniors” report, with detailed findings and figures, will be released on Friday 10 January, 2025.

But to give you a teaser of what we’ve found, here are some snapshots of our findings:

1. The Singapore Church age demography roughly mirrors the aged Singapore Resident population.
2. There are significant differences in demography across local churches, and also between language-specific congregations. This means that churches do not uniformly experience our aged-ness. 
3. Chinese-language congregations are more aged than English-language congregations.
4. A third of our churches are facing a looming staffing problem, as the majority of their staff are set to retire within the next 7 to 10 years. This challenge is more pronounced when we look only at Senior Pastors.
5. There is evidence of vitality among seniors, as we are seeing churches reporting more regular attendees and also baptisms among their seniors. We praise God that in some churches, baptisms exceeded bereavements.
6. 74% of churches studied have established ministries for seniors and have mobilised seniors to participate in various forms of ministry to others. This is an area that more churches may want to seriously consider.
7. Senior pastors shared a holistic range of ministry concerns and priorities related to seniors. Their main outlook towards pastoring seniors is that of “hope”.

Join us for the full SOTC2024 report release

To dive deeper into the findings, join us in-person at the SOTC2024 Report Release Gathering to be held at St Andrew’s Cathedral, at 9.30am on Friday, 10 January, 2025.

The Report Release Gathering is open to Pastors, church staff and ministry leaders, whether full-time or lay.

We look forward to a time of prayerful reflection and discussion of the findings.

Register here by 7 January: https://saltandlig.ht/sotc2024release

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The post The church in Singapore is ageing. How will we respond? State of the Church Study 2024 appeared first on Salt&Light.

Hosted by Alpha, the Global Chinese Alpha Conference (GCAC) – named REVIVAL 2025 – aims to inspire, equip and empower Chinese Christians worldwide to fulfil the Great Commission, as inspired by 2 Timothy 1:5-6.

It will be held on March 18 and 19 at the Mega Star Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

Participants can expect to immerse themselves in worship, notably led by Streams of Praise Music Ministries, as well as hear from keynote speakers including Pastor Liu Tong from River of Life Christian Church (USA), Rev Dr David Doong, general secretary of the Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelisation, and Pastor Lia (Cecilia Chan) from Heart of God (Singapore).

There will also be practical workshops on innovative evangelism tools, how to make your workplace a mission field and how to mobilise the next generation for the Gospel, as well as opportunities for collaborative partnerships. 

The conference will be conducted in Mandarin, accompanied by English interpretations. Tickets are priced at RM200 (S$60).

Speaking to Salt&Light, a representative from Alpha Asia Pacific noted that the Chinese diaspora is the world’s largest ethnic group with 1.5 billion people in various nations, cultures and industries.

“This unique position presents an opportunity for the Chinese Church to act as a bridge for the Gospel, reaching both local and global audiences, from the East to the West,” he said.

“However, to be effective witnesses, believers need to be equipped with practical tools and knowledge that are culturally relevant and biblically grounded.

“Through the GCAC 2025, we hope to join hands with Singaporean believers in strengthening their role as torchbearers of the Gospel, in fulfilling the city-state’s calling as the Antioch of Asia.”

For more information on REVIVAL 2025, tap here.

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CCOP’s purpose is “to train, including with a Christian perspective, a new generation of Observers for the Paris Process so that the Church may make the most effective contribution possible to all subsequent COPs.”

This is a joint immersive discipleship programme for climate change professionals and creation care advocates, supported by more than 10 Christian organisations.

Key outcomes of COP29 include adopting a USD300 billion annual global finance target to help poorer nations cope with climate change impacts by 2035, as well as the finalisation of international carbon market rules. 

Negotiations underway at the UN’s climate summit, Conference of Parties 29.

Climate finance is needed for developing countries to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels – beyond which scientists predict catastrophic climate impact.

Global warming is a serious threat to the existence of life on earth.

It was a deep learning experience for me to witness the UN negotiation process, participate in advocacy actions organised by civil society and hear the stories of fellow Christians in this sector.

Here are some of the lessons I took home with me.

Why should Christians care about COP? 

Such international discussions on climate change like COP can seem far removed from our daily lives. However, the outcomes from these discussions bear consequence for us, our neighbours and our future generations. 

1. A matter of ownership: Creation belongs to God 

The CCOP began with devotion each morning. At one such devotion, we were led to reflect on Jesus’s words in Mark 1:17: “‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

All of creation is God’s temple, singing His praise. Yet, this beautiful house of God has been marred by mankind’s sin and brokenness since Genesis 3. One leader gave this analogy: Biodiversity loss is like ripping out a page of God’s hymnbook every time a species goes extinct. 

How then has God’s earth been turned into a den of thieves? Our South African brothers had much to share.

The Global South suffers the greatest consequences of climate change, while the power and money remain in the hands of the Global North.

Reverend Michael Kalito from Zambia spoke of how copper mining is a main economic driver for his country. Yet, tax concessions given to global north mining companies allow them to extract and pollute the land, keep the profits, and leave local children suffering deformities from drinking water contaminated with sulphuric acid from the mines. 

Olushola Fadairo, a university lecturer from Nigeria, shared that Africa contributes less than 4% of global emissions, yet suffers the brunt of the impact of climate change. Climate finance, a key topic of discussion at COP29, for adaptation and loss and damage needs to be given through grants, not loans, he said.

No chanting allowed, but protesters made themselves “heard” loud and clear.

These grants should also be transparent and accessible to Global South countries, but they currently often come with strings attached. For instance, out of a US$1 million grant, only 10% is given to beneficiaries and 20% used for staff payment, with 70% going back to developed countries because of the requirement that consultants from the Global North (developed countries) must be engaged. 

2. A matter of justice: Climate change impacts the least, the last and the lost, the most

Climate change is a threat multiplier, and disproportionately impacts the ones who have done the least to contribute to this global problem: 

• 80% of the people displaced by climate change are women and girls facing heightened risks of poverty, violence or unintended pregnancies as they migrate to safety;
• Children and future generations face greater exposure to diseases, higher risks of air pollution, malnutrition and vulnerability to extreme weather events;    
• Only 10% of the world’s greenhouse gases are emitted by the 74 lowest income countries, yet the poor face greater risks in health, hunger, water security, education, and work-related hazards;
• Indigenous people inhabit more than 50% of the world’s land and are custodians of precious ecosystems, yet climate change is displacing them at 7 times the rate of the global population.

3. A matter of life: Bringing God’s Kingdom into the world 

Some Christians may feel that since Jesus is coming again and the “earth will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10), therefore they need not care too much about the climate crisis. 

We care for our physical bodies though it will one day perish, since our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and we are not our own (1 Corinthian 6:19). 

Why not, then, care for our physical world which belongs to God (Psalm 24:1) and which we are called to steward (Genesis 2:15), no matter its final outcome?   

The kingdom of God is here and not yet (Luke 17:20-21). While we wait for Christ to come again, we can all do our part to contribute to the flourishing of life and peace here on earth. 

Be angry but do not sin

Civil society has an important role to play in the COP process.

Climate marches were a traditional component of COP but have been banned since COP27 when COP was hosted in quick succession by petrostates: Egypt, Dubai, and this year, Azerbaijan.

This year, civil society organised a protest behind closed doors, far away from negotiating rooms. Only hums and finger snaps were allowed outside the hall.

Yet, it was a silence that spoke volumes. 

Growing up in an Asian conservative society, I am – and I suspect as are most Asian Christians – uncomfortable with anger. I associate anger with impulsiveness and sin when reading verses like Ephesians 4:26-27, James 1:19 and Psalm 37:8.

Yet, I recognise these have to be balanced with verses like Psalm 4:4, which show us that we can be angry and not sin – when we contemplate and bring our anger before God.

The CCOP leader reminded us that Yahweh and the prophets felt anger at injustice, idolatry, and violence.

Anger in the face of injustice is right and good, given the dignity and sacredness of human life, made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26).

Isabel (front row, second from right) with CCOP participants showing off their badges that allowed them access to the goings-on at COP29.

The CCOP participants at dinner.

What can Christians do?

The latest UNEP Emissions Gap Report highlights that we are in a climate emergency, with current policies resulting in 2.6 to 3.1°C of warming by year 2100. The window to act is closing fast. 

1. We grieve and lament

In a 2021 survey of 10,000 youths across 10 countries, 75% of respondents affirmed that “the future is frightening”; 40% hesitate to have children due to the climate crisis. 

As a sustainability professional, I too, have days where I feel overwhelmed. 

Eco-anxiety is a normal response, as we grieve the loss of biodiversity, ecosystems, lives and livelihoods. This is not right. Things should not be this way. 

A protest artwork by conceptual artist Agnes Denes.

Gus Speth, the former dean of the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale, said: “I used to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy…to deal with those issues we need a spiritual and cultural transformation – and we scientists do not know how to do that.”

As Speth points out, the root of the environmental problem is spiritual, and the solution is spiritual too. 

As a Church, we need to lament, and repent over the ecological destruction we have caused. True repentance should lead to action, inspired by our love for God and neighbour. 

2. We act with courage

Tearfund’s 2020 report “Burning down the House” asks: “When the world looks back at the church in 200 years’ time, will they think the church helped to stop climate change or were part of the problem?”

Here’s some suggestions for what we can do as a Church: 

• Learn more about creation care. 
• Engage your community on climate change. As Christian climate scientist Dr Katharine Hayhoe says, talk about it! 
• Examine your lifestyle and church operations, find ways to reduce your carbon footprint. 
• Learn more about God’s world – we can’t care for what we don’t know. Our Father’s World conducts monthly nature walks.  
• Creation care is not just for “green” Christians, it is a biblical mandate for all Christians, across all generations and all nations.

3. We pray with hope 

While others rely on technological fixes, international policies, and market solutions, Christians can point others towards a more sure and solid hope that found in Christ.

CCOP began its mornings with a time of devotion.

The Bible promises that Christ is coming again to make all things new (Revelations 21:5), to reconcile all things – all creation – to Himself (Colossians 1:15-20). 

We can partner with God to bring about His shalom peace, wherever He has placed us, whether at COP29, in our home, marketplace or ministry. 

As Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.“

As Christians, let’s pray for:

1. Increased climate finance: As we look to COP30 in Brazil, let’s pray that all stakeholders will work together to creatively scale up finance for developing countries to USD1.3 trillion needed per year by 2035, in grants rather than loans. There is enough money, let’s pray for greater political will.
2. ⁠Enhanced scope and ambition for countries’ climate targets, or nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which are due in February 2025.
3. Full, fast and fair phasing out of fossil fuels across all sectors. 
4. Reform of COP process such that it is able to deliver bold, decisive action needed at speed and scale, “essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity”. 
5. For the Body of Christ to love our global and future neighbours by taking climate action 
6. That all stakeholders – governments, businesses, and NGOs – will act with urgency in the face of the climate and biodiversity crises 

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The post “God’s earth has been turned into a den of thieves”: 3 truths I learned at COP29, the United Nations’ climate summit appeared first on Salt&Light.